Just mention Chicago and Frank Sinatra’s singing, ‘That toddling town? comes immediately to mind. I Just accepted not knowing the meaning of ‘toddling? until I started writing this column.
So, to let readers know I know what I’m doing, I looked up toddling. Its origin is unknown, Webster says, but ‘it’s to walk with short toddling steps like a young child.?
Let me tell you if you walk that way in Chicago today you’ll never get across any street without being struck by a taxi, bus or el. It’s a busy downtown.
Karen’s school, The Art Institute, is on the river and on the first floor of a Holiday Inn. Seems hotels own many of the tall buildings in Chicago that lease lower levels to retailers, offices, restaurants, etc. and house clients up there with a view.
Karen walks the five blocks to her school from her apartment in a round, 61-story building that dedicates the first 19 floors to valet parking only. Valets circle upward until they find a vacant spot and back the car in. Looking up at the building all you see is the rear end of cars looking back at you.
Being a round building, all the rooms have to be pie shaped. Her 1-bedroom unit on the 50th floor has 500 sq.ft., however, 175 of those feet are a balcony where you can look down at the Chicago River, Harry Carey’s restaurant, House of Blues and numerous banks, or throw up.
And, oh, yeah, Karen is afraid of heights. But, she dearly loves her apartment. Her overwhelming delight in being happy in Chicago, her school and chosen vocation lessens her fears.
Karen and her mom had to find something for their weak-legged grandpa/pa to do, and they made a terrific choice in selecting the river tour on Vendella lines. I’m sure the river seems but a fine line, viewing it from the tall buildings on its banks. You learn the history, use, ownership, etc of each as you go toward the locks to Lake Michigan.
At sea, more skyline of significance is pointed out, like the crosses of iron on the John Hancock building that keeps it from swaying in high winds.
Luan has been in Chicago often enough in Karen’s 18 months there that she knows the streets well enough to ignore her daughter’s seemingly constant, ‘Turn left here, Mom!? instructions, often followed by, ‘I’m sorry, I mean up here.?
So we did the Magnificent Mile with its high-end shops and hotels, and Lake Shore Drive with its condo/apartment buildings on the west side of the Drive and views of the long green strip between the Drive and the Lake Michigan. Chicago has done an outstanding job of keeping the beach and park open for public use.
Karen’s highlight of our visit was probably the Saturday night dinner at her restaurant choice, Smith and Wollensky on State Street. That, too, is next door to her condo/apartment building. She’d have us believe everything of note in the city was her neighbor.
That eatery is close, but she can’t afford it. I’ve rarely been exposed to restaurants that have everything a la carte. Her filet was $45, Caesar salad $20, whipped potato $9.50 and Sprite $3.50.
This was a real classy joint, with multiple servers, so I should expect to pay more, but $4 for a glass of orange juice at our hotel’s dining room was too much. The last gallon of oj I bought was $3.89. I’ll always wonder what the breakfast bill would have been if Karen hadn’t had to go to class that Monday morning.
It was a long time between Karen’s asking me to come to Chicago until I agreed. But it was so rewarding to be with her and feel her excitement about her interior design interest and her being absolutely in love with her surroundings.

Karen’s apartment in her round building.